Sonya Stephen is a creative movement artist and cultural specialist who advocates for healing through dance. Trained with the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing and NAISDA (1990–93), she brings together technical excellence, cultural respect, and community empowerment. She believes that everyone has a story to tell, and that creative movement can foster awareness, understanding, courage, strength, purpose, reconciliation, voice, and healing.

Notable works include:

Kulap Vine Project and Luneg (Thursday Island), community-driven contemporary cultural performances.

Collaborations with Annette Carmichael, including Chorus (anti-violence) and The Stars Descend (climate action).

Her socially engaged choreography explores Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, The Stolen Generations, Eddie Koiki Mabo’s legacy, Bullying is Not Our Culture -winner of best performance and choreography at the 2019 Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara competition and 1998 working with Cairns Indigenous Deaf Dance Group.

Across Australia, Sonya’s practice promotes reconciliation, healing, and intergenerational connection through movement.